Sleep in Switzerland – without losing your shirt

Most Bed and Breakfasts serve traditional Swiss cuisine Schweiz Tourismus

The growing number of homes listed as Bed and Breakfasts shows that getting to know the country and its people doesn't have to be expensive.

There are some 250 Bed and Breakfasts in Switzerland. Although that figure is modest in comparison with Britain or other English-speaking countries, the number of Swiss homeowners opening their doors to travellers is growing rapidly.

Even better, most Swiss B&Bs charge less than SFr100 (US60) for a double occupancy per night.

Besides the attractive price, another benefit of B&Bs is the chance to get to know the Swiss first-hand, and to get off the beaten track.

In the well-preserved village of Ernen in canton Valais, one homeowner offers “simple rooms in an old wooden house” and takes his guests on mule-back rides into the mountains. A woman in Zurich says her home is ideal for people “fond of plants, animals, books, classical music and a rich breakfast”.

Visitors to the touristy town of Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland can enjoy views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau from a traditional perspective; an ornate historical house in the neighbouring community of Unterseen.

For those who think a visit to Switzerland wouldn’t be complete without a stay in a real Swiss chalet can take comfort in the numerous chalet or chalet-style homes listed on the “Bed and Breakfast Switzerland” website.

A family in the alpine resort of Leysin above Lake Geneva welcome winter guests to their chalet with “warm drinks in each room”.

swissinfo